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Soundproofing

Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2011 9:48 pm
by psquiddy
I have got a 1996 2.5td and am thinking about trading it in for a newer model or spending some money on it and making it nice.

One of my main gripes about it is the engine noise - it seems to get really loud at about 2500 rpm, then gets quieter above that - is that right or is it some sort of illusion?

Are there any ways of reducing the engine noise e.g. thicker carpets

Re: Soundproofing

Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2011 8:43 am
by 321Away
possibly the turbo spooling down from max rpm?

Julian

Re: Soundproofing

Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2011 10:27 am
by Velocette
psquiddy wrote:I have got a 1996 2.5td and am thinking about trading it in for a newer model or spending some money on it and making it nice.

One of my main gripes about it is the engine noise - it seems to get really loud at about 2500 rpm, then gets quieter above that - is that right or is it some sort of illusion?

Are there any ways of reducing the engine noise e.g. thicker carpets
I've soundproofed other cars usually with a type of special felt underlay bought from a car accessory shop. It would be fiddly on the Bongo though. Also it might make the engine bay even hotter.
I know what you mean it can be quite hard to hold a conversation at Motorway speeds sometimes.

Re: Soundproofing

Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2011 10:46 am
by rita
Velocette wrote:
psquiddy wrote:I have got a 1996 2.5td and am thinking about trading it in for a newer model or spending some money on it and making it nice.

One of my main gripes about it is the engine noise - it seems to get really loud at about 2500 rpm, then gets quieter above that - is that right or is it some sort of illusion?

Are there any ways of reducing the engine noise e.g. thicker carpets
I've soundproofed other cars usually with a type of special felt underlay bought from a car accessory shop. It would be fiddly on the Bongo though. Also it might make the engine bay even hotter.
I know what you mean it can be quite hard to hold a conversation at Motorway speeds sometimes.
You could try a couple of these :idea: :lol:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Telex-Dual-Mu ... 1e65013979

Re: Soundproofing

Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2011 11:37 am
by Velocette
rita wrote:
Velocette wrote:
psquiddy wrote:I have got a 1996 2.5td and am thinking about trading it in for a newer model or spending some money on it and making it nice.

One of my main gripes about it is the engine noise - it seems to get really loud at about 2500 rpm, then gets quieter above that - is that right or is it some sort of illusion?

Are there any ways of reducing the engine noise e.g. thicker carpets
I've soundproofed other cars usually with a type of special felt underlay bought from a car accessory shop. It would be fiddly on the Bongo though. Also it might make the engine bay even hotter.
I know what you mean it can be quite hard to hold a conversation at Motorway speeds sometimes.
You could try a couple of these :idea: :lol:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Telex-Dual-Mu ... 1e65013979
That would just encourage her! :wink:

Re: Soundproofing

Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2011 1:22 pm
by missfixit70
May sound daft, but check the clips holding the front seats down are tight, most I've seen are slack, just needs a few taps with a hammer to reshape the clips tighter.
Is there any insulation under the seats etc on yours? I've seen one or two where it's not there.

Re: Soundproofing

Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2011 8:21 pm
by teenmal
Hi psquiddy,

A long shot,but do you have the undertray fitted?

Cheers..

Re: Soundproofing

Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2011 8:25 pm
by missfixit70
teenmal wrote:Hi psquiddy,

A long shot,but do you have the undertray fitted?

Cheers..
Good thinking :wink: & does it have the sound deadening on it if it is fitted?

Re: Soundproofing

Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2011 4:53 pm
by psquiddy
May sound daft, but check the clips holding the front seats down are tight, most I've seen are slack, just needs a few taps with a hammer to reshape the clips tighter.
Is there any insulation under the seats etc on yours? I've seen one or two where it's not there.
I just had a look - both seats are clipped down ok and the seals are in place. All carpet seems to have insulation - under the seats it is foam backed carpet, elsewhere it is felt - generally looks ok for its age - its obviously doing a reasonable job as the metal under it is really hot having just got back from a long run.
teenmal wrote:
Hi psquiddy,

A long shot,but do you have the undertray fitted?

Cheers..

Good thinking :wink: & does it have the sound deadening on it if it is fitted?
Do you mean the plastic tray under the engine/gearbox? If so, yes it is fitted but I cant see anything that would be described as "sound deadening" - what should be there? Some form of heavy rubber mat?

Re: Soundproofing

Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2011 4:56 pm
by missfixit70
There should be insulation under the metal of the engine covers that the seats are mounted on too & the plastic undertray under the engine should have a sort of insulated matting.

Re: Soundproofing

Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2011 5:00 pm
by dunslair
missfixit70 wrote:There should be insulation under the metal of the engine covers too & the plastic undertray under the engine should have a sort of insulated matting.
Yep kind of like a dense foam but with a woven protective cover to it (like woven mail bags, not like Granny's knitting) :D

Re: Soundproofing

Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2011 5:24 pm
by psquiddy
dunslair wrote:
missfixit70 wrote:There should be insulation under the metal of the engine covers too & the plastic undertray under the engine should have a sort of insulated matting.
Yep kind of like a dense foam but with a woven protective cover to it (like woven mail bags, not like Granny's knitting) :D
There is insulation under the seat/engine covers, but not on the under engine tray.

Also - the foam backing under the chairs is broken , but complete - so when you fold the carpet the pieces move apart, but they seem to sit together ok when the carpet is folded back again - i guess that is not ideal, but it does not look as if I have got any real gaps

Re: Soundproofing

Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2011 6:01 pm
by psquiddy
I spent £5 on a carpet offcut and a couple of hours inserting a new layer under the existing carpets in the front floor, under the seats and the centre console - quite pleased as there is a noticeable noise difference.

i might try stuffing door and dashboard voids with some spare rockwool i have i the loft

Re: Soundproofing

Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2011 6:07 pm
by missfixit70
I wouldn't use rockwool inside the front doors, not if you want the windows to keep working :wink: You can get self adhsive soundproofing type stuff, or I used self adhesive flashing from B&Q inside the doors & side panels.

Re: Soundproofing

Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2011 6:11 pm
by munroman
The Rockwool will also hold water, making a nice wet lump against any metal, so facilitating rusting.

Having it stuffed in the dashboard could well lead to fibres coming loose and spreading throughout the interior, itchy.

In summary, my advice would be, don't use it! :)